Ohio sends assistance to Gulf Coast in preparation for Gustav

Southern states aren’t the only ones watching Hurricane Gustav. Northeast Ohio assistance agencies are among those responding to calls for help as the Gulf states brace for approaching storms.

Lori Monsewicz

Southern states aren’t the only ones watching Hurricane Gustav. Northeast Ohio assistance agencies are among those responding to calls for help as the Gulf states brace for approaching storms.

The American Red Cross Emergency Response Vehicle from the agency’s Canton, Ohio, chapter left for Alabama on Thursday, and five chapter members were to leave Friday for the Alabama headquarters.

Volunteers with the Great Lakes Ohio Canine Search, Rescue and Recovery and amateur radio operators also are preparing to head to Louisiana.

Groups respond

The trips south are in response to a national call by emergency agencies preparing for the arrival of Gustav and Tropical Storm Hanna.

Melissa Seibert, manager for emergency response at the Red Cross in Canton, said that in the last two days, the Red Cross’ national headquarters has called for more than 200 mobile feeding trucks to move into Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama.

“We are in the process of moving over 100,000 cots, 200,000 blankets, tens of thousands of comfort kits as well as ready-to-eat meals into these coastal states,” she said.

Richard Smith of the Beloit, Ohio-based Great Lakes Ohio Canine Search, Rescue and Recovery, said members from the Ohio communities of Ellet, Minerva and Millersburg are preparing to respond to the Louisiana FEMA-based headquarters this weekend.

Amateur radio operators who work in conjunction with the organization also are gearing up to assist.

How to help

Seibert said anyone who wants to donate money to the National Disaster Relief Fund may do so at the local chapter or call (800) 733-2767.

Evacuees also are being asked to register with the Red Cross’ Safe and Well Web site at www.redcross.org to let family members across the nation know their status.

Seibert said anyone without Internet access can call the Red Cross’ toll-free number to register.

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